New funding opportunities support the electrification of America's transportation sector

Residents in disadvantaged communities could soon see progress toward equitable availability of clean mobility options due to two recent initiatives from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)'s Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO). A new funding opportunity from VTO brings $99.5 million in addition to the current selection of 45 projects totaling $87 million. DOE designed both to help to “onshore and re-shoring domestic manufacturing of key technologies and infrastructure that are critical to reaching the nation’s clean transportation future.”

The selected projects for the $87 million will support the $2.5 billion recently announced by the Federal Highway Administration to build and deploy EV charging nationwide, including in rural communities and low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. The projects are in 18 states and Washington, D.C. SSTI member West Virginia University Research Corporation’s work to diversify the expertise of today’s EV auto technicians is one of the selected projects.

The funding opportunity totaling $99.5 million, will “support projects to reduce soft costs to improve EV charging infrastructure in underserved communities, provide consumer education on EVs and EV charging, and develop batteries that use low-cost, abundant materials.” This funding opportunity seeks the participation of underserved communities and underrepresented groups. Applicants must submit a concept paper by June 26, 2023; complete applications are due on August 11, 2023.